RE: 2017/2018 Numbers
Haven't had time to get to this yet, and it seems as tho the Preacher has stolen some of my thunder, but that's fine. I'll quibble just a bit, tho....
First, I completely agree with his point 1. Unlike GoBucsGo, I see McCloud either starting, or playing 15-20 minutes.
I also pretty much agree with his point 2. And yes, large donations/explosions will occur. I can see Hodges having a 15-pt. game (or more) very easily. Much less easily for the others, but depending on matchups with each opponent, there's room there for a Harrison or Rodriguez to have games with 10 or more on occasion.
I agree with his point 3 in theory, but even tho Overstreet is a walk-on, I maintain he's well ahead of Mladden right now. But will Forbes be willing to play a walk-on ahead of him? Unknown. The bias would be against that, but we'll just have to see. Against some teams, I can see Overstreet getting 8-10, IF we can get him the ball enough in proper spacing and position. As I said in another thread, I expect to see Jurkin's minutes go up by 20-30+% this year. *IF* Forbes uses Overstreet like he should, and not 'shun' him as a walk-on, he will have more than mop-up minutes.
I would also have thought Edwards would have been "odd man out" until I saw those last few possessions of the live-game practice, and Forbes's enthusiasm for him in that stretch. I'll call him a 'sleeper' who wouldn't shock me if he's playing 10-12 minutes by sometime in mid-season. At whose expense I don't know; maybe Obi or Long? You have to divvy up PT amongst those three.
Also completely agree on the experimentation comments. This will be a work in progress for at least two months, and as "shampoo" put it, "scorers will self-identify". Further agree that this season may more closely resemble Forbes's first one than last year.
Now, just for grins......
Bradford -- 14
Payne -- 12
Burrell -- 12
McCloud -- 9
[That's 47/ppg there, close to Purl's 50. But that's *not* to imply all those 4 will start; Payne and McCloud likely both will not.]
Hodges -- 7
Jurkin -- 5
Harrison/Rodriguez -- 5
Long/Obi/Edwards -- 8
Overstreet/Mladden -- 5
[That's 77 total - which is too much. We won't score that much overall.]
Somebody(ies) won't get theirs; that may come off Harrison/Rodriguez, or Long/Obi/Edwards, or Jurkin, or Hodges, or who knows.
And I'm leaving Williams off, just on the perception he may red-shirt. Reppart may get his 2-4 on occasion, but doubt will average over 1-2, if one counts the games he doesn't play in.
Don't be shocked if by mid-season (or even earlier) Hodges is getting 8-10 regularly. He *will* be trying to "self-identify".
Don't be shocked if the Long/Obi and/or Harrison/Rodriguez duos only gets 3-4.
On the other hand, don't be shocked if McCloud gets 12 with enough PT. I think Forbes likes him dealing, though, more than scoring, although his quickness will get him some. Think of a thinner Petey McClain with a better shot. BUT.....he may be overmatched against some larger guards on D, which could limit said PT.
Nor.....don't be shocked if Bradford goes for 17. If he's in the game 30+ minutes, that could happen easily. One caveat to this is that if Forbes decides to put McCloud on the point more, that will limit Bradford's numbers. He's a creator, and obviously harder to do that without the ball in your hands. And since Forbes knows this, it likely won't happen much. Likewise, if he uses McCloud only to spell Bradford, then McCloud may get less than 9. That's one of the areas where the experimentation will come in. BUT.......I can see a case for McCloud's ability to make those around him better working with Bradford, who can get open without the ball, too. Extending that further......if McCloud gets good solid time at the point, it could raise the numbers of whoever's in the 4 and 5 spots.
(Let me say that I think Forbes used that last scholarship on McCloud very purposely, knowing he'll only be here a year. He knew that both Williams needs more seasoning; and that McCloud's ability to "run the show" - while being an additive presence overall were the most important missing ingredient/secret sauce. The more I think about that aspect the more I believe it.)
[Big-time disclaimer: this is just for fun and will likely have gaping errors on down the line.]
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